SHOP THEFTS IN LONDON.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVI, Issue 263, 6 November 1912, Page 2

SHOP THEFTS IN LONDON.

HUGE LOSSES EVERY YEAR

LONDON, Aug. 30. The large number of arrests for shoplifting during the past few weeks has brought to light the fact that this class of thieving has increased enormously iince the Coronation, and is fast becoming a serious problem to the retail merchants of London. Although anything like exact figures are unattainable, it is considered a conservative estimate that the combined operations of professional and amateur shoplifters cost the big stores and shops of the, West End alone an average of £200,000 a year. "That is the price the merchants of London have to pay for displaying their wares so attractively," said the manager of one large establishment to a press representative yesterday, "but if they didn't display them, how much would they sell? It is a mostserious problem, made additionally difficult because every arrest entails publicity.' and no reputable establish-,j ment likes to have it become known 1 that it is a frequent prey of the shoplifter. It might keep good customers away. We prefer, if possible, to keep the thieves away. This is comparatively easy with the amateur- who is

,- caught "committing her first offence. \ She usually belongs to a respectable ; family, and readily promises never to enter the store again if she can escape the shame of arrest and trial. The ; great trouble is that these first I offenders are always cropping up. I j don't know how to account for this fact, unless it is Vithat the swift advance of material' civilisation has resulted in warping the moral sense of right and 'wrong in all populous centres. ; "Perhaps, too, the spread of socialism has something to do with it. People are coming to believe that they have just as, much right to the luxuries of life\as their more wealthy neighbor, and they start out to get theni without any misgivings as to the moral aspect of the method—until they are caught. Then they always protest the innocence of their intentions. They meant to pay for everything before leaving the.store. This theory is supported by the fact that the plunder of. the amateur is nearly always confined to the little luxuries and fineries of dress, such as dainty; •blouses, laces, ribbons, gloves, handkerchiefs, and silk stockings. It is only the professional who carries away whole-bales of silk, jewellery, clocks, ornaments, books, and similar articles thai can be easily. disposed : of by some receiver of v stolen goods with, whom she is associated.

"Altogether l it is* s .a perplexing; problem any way you look at it, and the man or woman who can present to us a system that will effectually check shoplifting can earn a smail fortune. So far we have tried every known means of ( safeguarding our wares, but without success. Every bis: ■ store employs a large staff of competent and vigilant detectives, but there is something defective tn the system—just what, we don't know. Meanwhile it is costing us. a lot of money, between the salaries of the detectives and the plunder of the shoplifter."